Active Travel Update No. 7
I am writing to you because you have contacted me in the past about cycling.
Over the last few months I have continued to actively promote cycling and active travel within the Scottish Parliament.
In May I tabled a parliamentary motion congratulating the organisers and the participants of the Pedal on Parliament event, which successfully saw 3,000 cyclists riding to Parliament to call for action in order to make Scotland a cycle-friendly nation. My motion additionally highlighted that, whilst the Scottish Government's Cycling Action Plan for Scotland confirmed a commitment to have a low-carbon future with cycling at its heart, there must be renewed efforts to ensure that cycling provision in Scotland can rival other countries across Europe. You can have a look at the motion at the following link: http://bit.ly/12VeuDr
The City of Edinburgh Council has already taken positive steps to promote cycling in Edinburgh through pledging 5% of their transport budget on provision for cyclists, as well as extending and improving Edinburgh's cycle network. However, it is important that we build upon this, and that bold action is taken to further boost cycling rates in the capital. Last month I wrote to the Convenor of Edinburgh Council's Transport, Infrastructure and Environment Committee, Councillor Lesley Hinds, suggesting a 'sustainable transport corridor' linking the city centre to existing cycle paths via Market Street, George IV Bridge and Forrest Road, as a means of making cycling safer and encouraging people to leave their cars at home. Although this would require extensive consultation and consideration, I am pleased that Sustrans Scotland and Cycling Scotland support the idea. You can find press coverage of this proposal at: http://bit.ly/16mNZEI
As co-convenor of the Scottish Parliament's cross-party group (CPG) on cycling. I continue to take an active role in pressing the Scottish Government to prioritise cycling and to call for additional funding At last month's CPG meeting I led a question and answer session with the Minister for Transport and Veterans, Keith Brown MSP, a day before Mr Brown launched the 2013 Cycle Action Plan (CAPS).
You can have a took over the CAPS document at hflp //bit.ly/14Khv8b
I will continue to push tor cycling to receive the profile and investment it deserves at both the local and national level.
Yours sincerely
Jim Eadie MSP
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